The National Association of Home Builders formally praised the House and Senate on Tuesday for passing the Farm Bill, which maintains the USDA's maps defining rural areas and helps millions of Americans maintain access to rural housing programs.

The first-ever "Design & Construction Week" kicks off today in Las Vegas, bringing builders, remodelers and contractors to the co-located International Builders' and Kitchen and Bath Industry shows.

In a letter to attendees, the National Association of Home Builders Chairman Rick Judson pointed to the six "Centrals" of the show, areas that focus on custom building, 50+ housing, design, multi-family, remodeling and sales.

Housing starts were back at a million-plus pace in November, as Commerce Department stats reflected the healthiest residential construction industry since the Great Recession began.

In its regular analysis of the number, the National Association of Home Builders piled on the good news by pointing to surveys that show builders are increasingly confident that buyers are getting off the bench and into the game.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes paused for a third consecutive month in March, falling two points to 44 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.